Top 10 English Teaching Certifications To Get In 2024

English teaching certification is the internationally recognized qualification required to teach English to non-native English speakers in a foreign country or online.

This certification will help you get hired by English language schools both online and in person.

Most times, an English teaching certification is required to teach English as a Foreign Language in a foreign nation (that is, a non-native English-speaking country), as schools and language institutes seek to hire teachers who have obtained sufficient training.

To earn money teaching English abroad, you don’t need a degree in education, prior teaching experience, or even a college diploma. Just get this teaching certification and you’re good to go.

This article clearly states the top 10 English teaching certifications to get in 2024.

Table of contents

Who is an English Teacher?

A teacher of English is in charge of making sure that students understand good grammar, writing, and reading comprehension. They are in charge of developing lesson plans that will teach students the necessary skills.

Answering student inquiries, grading student tests and essays, tracking student progress, and teaching pupils the value of English are just a few of the key responsibilities of an English instructor.

Depending on the age level taught, an English teacher trains pupils in the English language and literature and may encourage learning the English language in a fun and engaging environment. They may instruct students who are native English speakers as well as those who are not.

An English instructor should have two years of teaching experience and a master’s degree in education.

One of the most important skills for an English teacher is the ability to provide constructive criticism, as well as a thorough understanding of sentence structure, grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation, and literature, which includes teaching creative composition such as prose, poetry, short stories, and narratives, as well as technical writing skills such as news articles, reports, and jottings.

A teacher of English should enhance students’ oral and written communication abilities, as well as critical thinking and oral and written understanding, at a basic level.

Importance of ESL Teacher Certification

1. It increases your value to your school and makes you more marketable to others:

In addition to the new teacher shortage, the demand for ESL-certified teachers is skyrocketing. You can teach ESL/TESOL/TEFL practically anywhere in the globe, at any level, if you have an ESL/TESOL/TEFL certification or degree.

2. The credits will be applied to your next raise and permanent certification:

Certification as an ESL Program Specialist counts toward your needed ongoing education.

3. You become more sensitive to cultural differences:

Studying the many cultures and belief systems that your ELLs may bring to the classroom can help you create a depth of knowledge and understanding that will allow you to appreciate all of the distinctions among your students.

Your students bring everything from their culture to the classroom, including respect for education and educators, religion, dance, music, body language, affection, family structure, and much more.

The more you know about their cultural heritage, the better you’ll be able to engage them in learning and development.

4. You improve as a teacher:

You will become a better teacher if you learn how to modify lessons to allow ELLs to acquire the same grade-level content as their peers. Vocabulary-focused training and multi-modal learning are beneficial to more than just ELLs.

What is the Best English Teaching Certificate?

The gold standard in teaching credentials is:

CELTA (Cambridge English Language Teaching Assistant) is a Cambridge qualification for teaching English as a foreign language.

It is the most widely recognized and frequently requested English teaching qualification in the world; three out of every four English language teaching positions demand a CELTA qualification.

It focuses on practical strategies and involves face-to-face or online teaching practice with groups of students, giving you the confidence to start teaching in as short as four weeks.

CELTA from Cambridge is the qualification you need to prove to employers that you have the required teaching skills with a recognized certificate, whether you’re looking for your first teaching job or want to prove to employers that you have the required teaching skills with a recognized certificate.

CELTA is Designed for?

  • Beginning their career as a new teacher with no prior experience.
  • Experienced teachers who want to improve their abilities.
  • Non-Native English speakers and native English speakers.
  •  English teachers who want to travel and teach.

How to Become a Certified English Teacher?

1. Decide whether you’re “in” or “out”:

Before you begin the lengthy process of scheduling teaching employment, make sure you’re completely committed to the chance.

Setting oneself up for a successful job search, much alone a successful adjustment to living abroad, can take a lot of resources, money, time, and energy.

So, before making any decisions, take a good, hard look at yourself. It’s perfectly acceptable if you aren’t willing to commit to the process.

It’s still essential to educate yourself on what that commitment entails so that you can get started when the right time arises.

2. Examine your Credentials:

  • Do you know how to communicate effectively in English?
  • Are you at least 18 years old?
  • Do you have TEFL certification?

It’s perfectly acceptable that you aren’t TEFL certified at this time; after all, you’ve only recently decided to pursue a career as an English teacher!

Most businesses that recruit EFL teachers, however, demand them to be TEFL certified, so you’ll have to face reality.

This shows schools, language academies, universities, and other organizations that you have taken the time to learn about the difficulties of teaching a language.

You might believe that just because you speak English fluently, you’re guaranteed a TEFL job. That, however, is not the case.

Another thing to bear in mind is that you don’t need a degree or to be a native English speaker to engage in TEFL courses or to be eligible for many EFL teaching positions throughout the world.

Many international schools, on the other hand, will only hire non-degree holders who have completed a TEFL certificate training course of at least 100 hours.

You’ll also need a TEFL certificate if you’re already a teacher. Just because you have a degree in education or a lot of experience teaching other subjects doesn’t mean you’re ready to teach EFL because you’ll need to learn the specific methodology and approach.

3. Educate yourself on what TEFL Certification entails:

In conclusion, there are many ways to become TEFL certified, including taking TEFL classes online, in person, or a combination of online and in person. You can either acquire TEFL certified in your home nation or hightail it to another country.

You can earn your TEFL certification by taking 120-hour, 240-hour, or 120-hour + specific course add-ons (such as focusing on business English teaching).

TEFL programs with payment plans, planned extracurriculars, young educators, old educators, small groups, and large classrooms are also available.

Companies that have been in business for one year, two years, or ten years may provide TEFL certification chances. There are also different missions and levels of commitment to TEFL student achievement.

Some TEFL organizations provide job placement assistance and alumni networking groups, while others simply provide you with TEFL courses and then kick you out.

Before you start diving deeper and deciding which one is appropriate for you, spend some time researching how to get TEFL certified and who to get TEFL certified with. Knowledge is power, and it will come in handy as you progress through these steps in teaching English.

4. Begin looking for TEFL Training Courses:

Now that you have a better understanding of what’s available, you can confidently choose amongst several organizations to discover the one that’s ideal for you.

Consult reviews, browse TEFL firm websites, and, most importantly, reach out; you should attempt to speak with at least three to five TEFL companies before making a decision.

5. Contact at least three different TEFL Certification Companies:

You’ve caught their attention and they’re questioning you to see if you’re a good fit, but you should be questioning them as well. What is included in the package? How does the application procedure work? What distinguishes their program from others? What are some examples of alumni success? Would they be able to connect you with alumni?

Finally, how accessible (and patient) are they in answering your numerous questions? That’s all there is to it; you need to get a sense of the various organizations you’re considering, and one interaction could be enough to seal the sale.

6. Finish up any last-minute research, then choose a TEFL program and apply:

It’s time to begin the application procedure now that you’ve settled on an organization to assist you in getting TEFL certified.

You’ll want to highlight your educational experiences and discuss how you hope this new qualification will improve not only your life and prospects but the lives of others.

Consider the larger picture and persuade them that you’ll be a remarkable, dedicated student and, subsequently, a teacher.

7. Now that you’ve been accepted, it’s crucial to reflect:

It’s time to put your head in the game and get focused, whether you’re getting TEFL certified online or in a classroom, your ability to participate and engage in the training will determine your success as an EFL instructor.

8. Plan your next steps, then finish the TEFL certification course:

Will you take lessons in a nearby city or go halfway around the world to complete your course? Are you planning to teach in another country right away or wait a few months? All of these facts about your situation will have an impact on your decision to teach English.

What Certification Teach English?

A TEFL Certification is typically required to teach English as a Foreign Language in a foreign country (non-native English speaking country) because schools and language institutes want to hire teachers who have gained proper training.

You do not need a degree in education, prior teaching qualifications, or even a college degree to get paid to teach English abroad.

Private language schools in other countries, online teaching organizations, and government programs that hire native English speakers to teach in other countries all look for persons who have completed some form of professional training.

Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) can sometimes be referred to as Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL), English Language Teaching (ELT), and teaching ESL, or simply English language training for non-native speakers (English as a Second Language). TEFL/TESOL is one of the world’s fastest-growing educational sectors, with hundreds of excellent professional opportunities for native and fluent English speakers who obtain their TEFL/TESOL certification to teach English in countries across the world.

There isn’t much of a distinction between “TEFL” and “TESOL” in practice. They are both acronyms that effectively signify the same thing: teaching non-native speakers English.

Similarly, when it comes to ESL teaching credentials and teaching English in another country, the phrases “TEFL certification” and “TESOL certification” are identical.

On a more practical level, TESOL refers to the teaching of English to non-native speakers in native English-speaking regions, so those pursuing degrees and working in the field in the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, and the United States will most likely use the term.

The Best Certification to Teach English as a Second Language

The best certificate to use is TESL.

TESL trains teachers to instruct non-native English speakers in English. TESL courses are designed for teachers who want to teach English to speakers of other languages who live in a place where English is spoken natively.

Teachers searching for jobs in English-speaking nations such as the United Kingdom, Canada, the United States, and Australia can benefit from a TESL certification.

It is a good course to take if you want to advance your career within your current country. After earning your TESL certification, you may be able to work as a language support instructor for students in public or private English schools, or as an English teacher in a private language school.

A TESL instructor is someone who teaches students from all over the world at an English language institute in the United States.

What Certifications for Teaching English Abroad Do I Need?

The best Certification for Teaching English Abroad is TEFL

TEFL courses are designed to provide teachers with the knowledge and skills necessary to teach English to students in countries where English is not the native language.

As a result, you will learn how to manage a classroom of students learning English as a second language in a location where English is not widely spoken.

A TEFL qualification is the most frequently accepted sort of teaching certification in non-native English-speaking countries around the world due to the large number of countries where this type of English language education is desired and appropriate.

Furthermore, TEFL certification earned from respectable organizations, such as reputable colleges and universities, is more well regarded than TESOL courses. International education systems in non-English speaking nations nearly always fit the TEFL bill.

What is the process for becoming certified to teach English as a Second Language?

Step 1: Earning a Bachelor’s Degree:

A bachelor’s degree is usually required for teaching positions, though a master’s degree is highly valued by many employers. Prospective public school or adult ESL teachers should take courses in linguistics and second language acquisition theories.

Although fluency in a second language is not a requirement for ESL teaching positions, most teacher education programs require that students complete an internship, also known as student teaching.

People with a bachelor’s degree in a discipline other than education can take an alternative route to ESL certification.

Step 2: Become a Certified ESL Teacher:

Teaching in a PK-12 school requires particular ESL credentials to work with English language learners, and the requirements for ESL certification vary greatly by state (ELLs).

A TESOL credential (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) may open up more teaching opportunities. Many education-related degree programs now provide ESL endorsements.

Step 3: Keep your ESL Teaching Certification Current:

Many adult literacy teachers attend professional development classes to keep up with the latest research and improve their teaching skills.

Public school teachers must also fulfill professional growth prerequisites to maintain their teaching licenses.

Each state determines its minimum hours of professional development as well as other ESL teaching certificate renewal criteria, and some jurisdictions offer several certificates and authorizations to ESL teachers.

Step 4: Get a Master’s Degree;

Adult ESL teachers in colleges and universities may be required to have a master’s degree. Adult education master’s degrees prepare future teachers to use effective teaching methods and work with students from a variety of backgrounds.

Some programs allow teachers to specialize in adult basic education, secondary education, or English as a second language (ESL).

Consider joining a professional organization that assists teachers of students from various linguistic origins, such as the TESOL International Association, to stay up to date about important topics in the ESL learning environment.

Step 5: Advancement in your career as an ESL certified teacher;

Depending on the program with which they are involved, ESL teachers may have a range of advancement options. Because part-time teachers are frequently hired, a part-time position can progress to a full-time position with experience.

Depending on the program, there may be opportunities to advance to the program director or program coordinator. There are also non-profit programs that can help an ESL instructor transition to design program materials or work in the field of research.

Do ESL Teachers Get Paid More?

As an ESL teacher, you’ll earn more based on your years of experience, but your degree level can also influence your earning potential, and your income will vary depending on your degree level, just like any other teaching employment.

After three years of experience and a bachelor’s degree, an ESOL and global language district support teacher in Atlanta public schools, for example, earns $49,539 per year.

If the instructor has a master’s degree, the annual compensation rises to $57,579, and with a Ph.D., it rises to $63,345.

Also, your compensation will vary significantly depending on where you reside; salaries among teachers can and do change significantly from one state to the next, and even from one municipality to the next, owing to cost of living variances.

While teacher salaries in California, Connecticut, and New York are significantly higher than in other parts of the country, when you factor in the cost of living – which includes everything from income tax to the cost of a home to the cost of a gallon of gas – these salaries aren’t nearly as high as they appear.

THE 10 TOP ENGLISH TEACHING CERTIFICATIONS IN 2024

1. TEFL:

The most well-known and often used abbreviation for teaching English in a foreign country is TEFL.

The term “TEFL certification” refers to the training courses and certificates that language schools and institutions all over the world look for when hiring English teachers.

Keep in mind that the term “TEFL” does not relate to a single organization, firm, certification, or institution.

It is an industry abbreviation, and there are a variety of TEFL schools, TEFL training programs, and certification alternatives available, all of which vary in quality, length, and cost.

2. TESOL:

The term “TESOL” is more commonly used in North America to refer to teaching English to non-native speakers in native English-speaking countries such as the United States.

As a result, if you wish to teach English as a second language in your local public school system, you’ll probably need a Master’s degree in TESOL.

Since TESOL is also used for domestic instruction and is controlled by their governments, it is typical for British, Canadian, and Australian training facilities to give a certificate in the subject.

Because there is no government regulation for teaching English at private language schools in the United States, most US and European training would refer to teaching overseas as TEFL.

3. TESL:

A TESL certification, like TEFL, allows you to teach English to non-native English speakers. The fundamental distinction between TEFL and TESL is the location of the actual teaching.

People who plan to teach non-native English speakers residing in a native English-speaking country typically have a TESL credential.

In other words, if your primary goal is to teach in a nation where English is the primary language, such as the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, or Australia, you should pursue a TESL certification.

4. CELTA:

CELTA is a brand of TEFL certification offered by Cambridge English Assessment, a non-profit organization affiliated with the University of Cambridge.

A wide range of schools and educational institutions around the world offer the course. It’s the equivalent of a 4-week, 120-hour intense TEFL certification, and it prepares you to only teach English to adults.

It should be noted that many CELTA providers give only a little or no job placement aid. The bulk of them are language schools, and the CELTA organization does not coordinate assistance with other CELTA schools.

As a result, each school is on its own in terms of job support and placement.

5. DELTA:

Cambridge English Assessment, a non-profit assessment institution affiliated with the University of Cambridge, offers DELTA certification.

A DELTA certificate is limited in that it is only available to qualified instructors with at least one year of classroom experience.

As a result, DELTA should only be considered as a viable choice for experienced teachers pursuing further certifications from Cambridge English Assessment.

6. IELTS:

The abbreviation for “International English Language Testing System” is IELTS, and it is widely popular in the United Kingdom.

The test is available in two versions: “IELTS Academic” and “IELTS General Training,” and you must select the one that is most appropriate for you.

If you’re looking for work, the second version is for you; you’ll be assessed on your listening, reading, writing, and speaking skills before receiving a score between 1 and 9 for each area.

7. TOEFL:

The acronym TOEFL stands for “Test of English as a Foreign Language,” and it is nearly identical to the IELTS.

However, it is more popular in the United States and countries where American English is primarily spoken or taught.

They offer a variety of tests, all of which assess the same skills as IELTS: listening, reading, writing, and speaking.

8. Pearson English Language Test (PTE Academic);

The PTE Academic test has risen in popularity, and an increasing number of universities now recognize it as valid proof of English proficiency from prospective overseas students.

Unlike TOEFL iBT, IELTS Academic, and Cambridge tests, which is made up of four parts, the PTE exam has only three:

  • Writing and Speaking 
  • Reading.
  • Listening.

The PTE Academic test takes three hours to finish and is only accessible in a computer-based format. It uses the Global Scale of English to assign grades ranging from 10 to 90.

Minimum scores of 50–60 are required by most institutions and colleges. The cost of the exam varies based on the country in which it is taken. PTE, for example, costs $200 in the United States and $246 in Australia. The PTE certificate has a two-year validity period.

9. TKT:

The term TKT stands for “Teaching English Test.” It’s a good place to start if you want to pursue advanced certifications like the CELTA or DELTA.

The TKT is divided into three sections: the first is titled “Background to Language Teaching,” the second is titled “Planning for Language Teaching,” and the third section is titled “Classroom Management.”

Depending on your availability and requirements or needs, you can take them alone or together.

10. EFSET:

The EF Standard English Test is a standardized English language test for people who aren’t native English speakers.

It is the result of a collaboration between EF Education First, a global language training firm, and a team of language assessment professionals, and it is developed to the same high standards of reliability as other standardized English exams such as the TOEFL, TOEIC, and IELTS: All exam content has been pretested on hundreds of thousands of English language learners from throughout the world over many years, at all CEFR levels.

STEP BY STEP ON HOW TO GET AN ENGLISH CERTIFICATION ONLINE

While doing all of this over the Internet may appear to be a simple solution, there are a few things to consider before signing up.

1. Conduct a self-evaluation:

Since there is no set time for classes and no teacher to remind you that assignments are due, online learning requires you to take full responsibility for your education. If you do not complete your work on time and fail the course, you only have yourself to blame.

Consider the following factors:

a. The cost of tuition fees and the schedule’s flexibility;

There are numerous factors to examine to ensure that the program you are considering matches your budget and lifestyle.

  • Is the course entirely online, or are tests required to be taken in person?
  • How flexible is the ESL certification program’s schedule?
  • Is there a penalty if you don’t finish the assignment on time and wish to prolong it?

b. Always read the small print;

Make a list of questions you want to be answered regarding subjects you want to learn more about and email it to someone in the administration of the school where you wish to study. Calls are excellent, but emails provide a paper record that you may refer to if necessary.

2. Make a program choice:

If you want a quick summary of what’s available, look at the top schools, including those listed by state. To avoid information overload, it may require a couple of visits to the site.

Examine your choices;

  • Anaheim University has a 15-week online course available. That doesn’t seem like an eternity in the broad scheme of things, so check their website if you want the certification as soon as possible.
  • For ESL accreditation, Bridge TEFL offers both online and classroom options. A webinar is also available from the school to help you decide if it is the best fit for you.
  • Teach English Abroad offers an in-person TEFL experience as well as a variety of online and in-person training options that lead to globally recognized certification for teaching abroad.
  • Premier TEFL also offers a variety of authorized training options, including online instruction and a hybrid of online and on-the-ground abroad training. They also have several internships, scholarships, and job placement opportunities available.
  • Drexel University is a good option if you need a flexible schedule. Depending on your time and commitment requirements, the program can be finished in six to twelve months.
  • Some colleges and universities provide in-house ESL online training that is not accredited by a bigger regulating organization.
  • my TEFL provides a professional, accredited 120-hour online course as well as a variety of other online and on-site teaching abroad choices. They also provide job placement assistance.
  • Online ESL Teaching – This low-cost online course will assist you in starting your own online ESL teaching business. It does not provide ESL certification, but it will teach you how to create a teaching website, attract students, build an online reputation, and arrange teaching sessions. This should be your next educational stop once you’ve received your certification.
  • Some programs will prepare you for a specialized teaching position or career in a specific field. SEE TEFL, for example, provides training and paid internships in Thailand. If you want a clear notion of what you’re training for while you move toward certification, this can be a useful alternative.

Now that you’ve decided on the ESL online certification programs you want to pursue, it’s time to put your efforts into making them a reality.

3. Establish a routine:

Students must commit, set out sufficient hours, and keep to a schedule to be successful in an online ESL certification program. It could imply rising an hour earlier to work when the house is quiet.

Break projects down into little manageable portions as part of your schedule, keep an eye on due dates so that assignments don’t creep up on you, and attach a copy to the fridge and/or your office door and/or on your phone that beeps notifications so that it’s right in front of your face.

4. Think about forming a buddy system:

Some people find it simpler to study when they are accompanied by another person. Do you have a friend who wants to take the same course as you?

If you do, that’s great because you can exchange notes and help each other keep focused, and it’s sometimes simply wonderful to chat with someone who understands what you’re going through.

Check with the institution to see if you can meet with other ESL students, either online or in person.

5. Keep an eye on the ESL certification process as it unfolds:

Check to see if the course outlines what you should have learned by the third week of month two. It’s easier to keep track of your progress if there are boxes to check. If there isn’t one, make your deadlines.

6. Put what you’ve learned in the online ESL class into practice:

The theory is great, but the practice is necessary to discover if what you’re learning in the online program applies to real-world situations. See if you can locate a part-time job teaching ESL or an assistantship for a few hours each week.

7. Maintain your concentration:

It is critical to keep the larger vision in mind and not become distracted by minor details; that is, after you have decided to pursue ESL certification online, found a program that matches your needs, and registered, staying on track is a simple affair.

Everything from a to-do list to a buddy system will help you stay on track. Keep the final goal in mind—an ESL certification—as it will assist you with the daily struggle of completing the required work on time.

Conclusion

As you can work with students at any stage of their educational journey, teaching English as a Second Language (ESL) is a fulfilling occupation that helps children and adults develop their English language abilities.

Choosing to be an ESL teacher has its own set of benefits, one of which is the high demand for ESL teachers around the world.

As per the British Council, over one billion people are learning English across the world, so whether you utilize your interest in teaching ESL as a way to travel the world or stay put in your native country, teaching ESL can be a very rewarding career.

References

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